Apparatus and method for fastening lines

ABSTRACT

An apparatus is moveable over a surface to affix a line to the surface by discharging fastening elements. Such an apparatus may be useful, for example, in laying tennis lines on a clay tennis court, alleviating the need to secure the lines to the court by hand. The apparatus comprises a frame and/or platform having one or more applicators (e.g., nail guns) to discharge fastening elements (e.g., nails).  
     The boundary line may be stored on a reel stored on the apparatus and laid down as the apparatus moves over the surface, or may alternatively be pre-laid on the surface.  
     The apparatus preferably discharges fastening elements proximate to both edges of the boundary line in one pass over the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/344,909 filed Nov. 7, 2001 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/394,009 filed Jul. 3, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates generally to the fastening of demarcation lines on surfaces, such as tennis lines on a tennis court.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Numerous sports require the use of lines, tapes, or other demarcations of boundaries. For instance, in baseball, boundary lines are used to separate the fair playing field area from the “foul ball” area. Similarly, in tennis, lines are used to demarcate the boundaries of the court within which a ball may legally land. The outer boundaries of the court distinguish between the area that is “in” and the area that is “out.” In addition, other lines, such as the service line, are used to indicate where a serve may legally land.

[0004] There are many different types of lines, tapes, boundaries and demarcations used in various sports. (As used herein, the word “line” means any kind of tape, boundary or demarcation used in any sport now known or later developed.) One method, fairly common in baseball, is to use a chalk or similar substance constituting a semi-permanent demarcation. Another method, sometimes used in sports such as volleyball or badminton, is to stretch a string, ribbon, or the like, along the ground at a desired boundary. Other methods of boundary demarcation include the use of paint, the placement of various types of markers, or the digging of a shallow (or deep) trench around a playing field.

[0005] In tennis, the type of lines used to demarcate boundaries may depend on the surface of the court. For instance, if a court is made of asphalt, concrete, or another relatively hard surface amenable to painting, lines may simply be painted onto the court in the appropriate locations. Where the court is made of grass, the lines may also be painted onto the grass (or, alternatively, chalk may be used). If the court is made of a clay substance or a clay substitute or synthetic (such as Har-Tru®), however, the court may not be amenable to the use of paint. Instead of paint, the most common substitute is a durable line (often referred to as a “tape”) that is stretched over and affixed to the surface of the court at desired locations. The line may be affixed in any conventional way, such as with nails, staples, other fastening elements or adhesives.

[0006] Conventional methods for attaching such lines on a clay tennis court generally involve stretching the line over the surface of the court by hand, after which one or more individuals hammer nails (or staples or other fastening elements) through the tape into the substrate to secure it. The lack of automation of this process makes the installation of lines time consuming, tedious and expensive.

[0007] Other sports or applications in which the laying or installation of boundary lines has heretofore not been automated suffer from similar drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Some or all embodiments of the present invention may ameliorate the above and other drawbacks.

[0009] The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a more efficient way of affixing lines in various sports and other applications. In particular, the invention is directed at least in part to an apparatus and method for affixing lines to a clay tennis court, a tennis court made of a clay substitute or synthetic (such as Har-Tru®), or another appropriate surface, in an efficient fashion that saves time and expense over prior art apparatuses and methods.

[0010] The apparatus and method of the present invention may also provide a number of additional useful features and advantages. For instance, the invention may make the laying of line or tape in a straight line easier and/or more reliable.

[0011] More specifically, this invention provides an apparatus for affixing a boundary line to a surface which includes a frame moveable over the surface and at least one applicator mounted to the frame. The at least one applicator being adapted to discharge fastening elements to affix the boundary lines to the surface. A dispenser may be mounted to the frame to dispense the boundary line onto the surface in a position allowing the boundary line to receive fastening elements discharged by the at least one applicator.

[0012] Alternatively, the line affixing apparatus may comprise a frame and at least one applicator adapted to discharge fastening elements. The at least one applicator being moveably attached to the frame and being capable of discharging fastening elements to affix two sides of the boundary lines to the surface in a single pass of the apparatus over the surface.

[0013] In still another embodiment, the apparatus includes a frame, a first applicator and a second applicator mounted to the frame, the first applicator being adapted to affix a first edge of boundary line to the surface and the second applicator being adapted to affix a second edge of a boundary line to the surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The objects and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or like reference numerals have been used for the same component in the various figures:

[0015]FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an apparatus for fastening lines embodying one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0016]FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0017]FIG. 3 is a top view of a boundary line or tape fastened to a surface according to one illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0018]FIG. 4 is a top view of a boundary line or tape fastened to a surface according to another illustrative embodiment of the present invention.

[0019]FIG. 5 is a top view of an apparatus embodying an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with one applicator.

[0020]FIG. 6 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, illustrating side-to-side movement of the applicator.

[0021]FIG. 7 is a side view of the apparatus of FIGS. 5 and 6, illustrating up-and-down movement of the applicator.

[0022]FIG. 8 is top view of an apparatus embodying an illustrative embodiment of the present invention employing a track to keep the device moving along a desired course.

[0023]FIG. 9 is a side view of an apparatus embodying an illustrative embodiment of the present invention with two applicators.

[0024]FIG. 10 is a partial top view of the apparatus of FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] A line affixing apparatus 10 that is moveable over a surface may be used to discharge fastening elements to affix a line to the surface. Such an apparatus may be useful, for example, in laying tennis lines on a clay tennis court, alleviating the need to secure the lines to the court by hand (e.g., by hammering nails through the lines into the court surface). The apparatus comprises a frame and/or platform having one or more applicators (e.g., nail guns, staplers, etc.) to discharge fastening elements (e.g., nails, staples, etc.). Various embodiments of the apparatus are described in more detail below.

[0026] One illustrative embodiment of a line affixing apparatus 10 is shown in FIG. 1. The line affixing apparatus 10 has a frame 14. Mounted to the frame 14 are one or more applicators 16. Applicators 16 are configured to discharge fastening elements such as nails 22 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4).

[0027] In operation, line affixing apparatus 10 is moved over a surface such as a ground surface of a tennis court or other playing court or field. Applicators 16 mounted on frame 14 are aligned such that they discharge fastening elements to affix boundary line 12 to the ground (or other surface).

[0028] Boundary line 12 is disposed on the surface and then secured to the surface by the line affixing apparatus 10. The disposing of boundary line 12 on the surface may be accomplished in different ways.

[0029] In one embodiment, boundary line 12 is pre-disposed (i.e., laid out) on the surface. The boundary line 12 may be secured at its ends, for instance by nailing the ends down with a hammer. The remainder of the line may then be secured by use of line affixing apparatus 10.

[0030] In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 1, a dispenser (or tape feed) 28 may be mounted to frame 14 to dispense boundary line (tape) 12 as line affixing apparatus 10 is moved over the surface. In such an embodiment, as line affixing apparatus 10 moves, dispenser 28 dispenses boundary line 12 along the surface, and applicators 16 discharge fastening elements such as nails 22 to affix the boundary line 12 to the surface. In this embodiment, boundary line 12 need not be pre-disposed (i.e., laid out) on the surface; rather, it is dispensed by dispenser 28 as the line affixing apparatus 10 moves over the surface. A first end of boundary line 12 may be secured to the surface manually (e.g., with a conventional hammer and nails). A cutting mechanism may also be provided on line affixing apparatus 10 to cut boundary line 12 when an appropriate amount of boundary line has been laid. Alternatively, this cutting may be done by hand. In yet another alternative embodiment, spools of boundary line 12 of a desired length may be provided in the first instance, to avoid the need for such cutting during installation.

[0031] Any suitable configuration of fastening elements may be used to secure boundary line 12 to the surface. For example, in one embodiment, nails 22 may be discharged by applicators 16 inside right edge 24 and left edge 26 of boundary line 12 (edges labeled in FIG. 3). In another embodiment, nails 22 may be discharged by applicators 16 outside the boundary line 12, i.e., to the right of right edge 24 and to the left of left edge 26 of boundary line 12, and the heads of nails 22 may overlap boundary line 12 to hold it in place. In yet another embodiment, a single row of nails may be discharged by applicators 16 through the boundary line 12, for instance along a line running substantially through the center of a boundary line 12 dispensed from the line affixing apparatus. In yet another embodiment, boundary line 12 may be pre-fabricated to comprise holes through which nails 22 are discharged. In one version of such an embodiment, boundary line 12 would comprise a webbing having many holes or weaving.

[0032] Any suitable nail pattern may be used. In one pattern, shown in FIG. 3, pairs of nails 22, spaced apart along a line substantially perpendicular to the boundary line 12, are used to secure boundary line 12 to the surface. Another pattern, in which nails 22 are staggered, is shown in FIG. 4. As noted above, a single line of nails may also be used. Other patterns may also be used, as will be apparent to one of skill in the art.

[0033] Nail patterns such as those shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 (or other nail patterns) may be achieved in any suitable way, with one or two applicators 16, each of which may be fixed or movable relative to the frame or platform of line affixing apparatus 10.

[0034] For example, the nail pattern of FIG. 3 may be achieved by using two spaced-apart applicators 16, in fixed relationship to one another and to the frame 14, spaced apart along a line substantially perpendicular to the boundary line 12, as shown in FIG. 2. The two spaced-apart applicators 16 may discharge nails 22 simultaneously, in what may be called a “synchronous” embodiment. If the line affixing apparatus 10 moves over the surface at a constant speed, the time period between discharging of pairs of nails 22 in the synchronous embodiment may be kept constant to achieve a consistent spacing between nail pairs. Alternatively, if a varied spacing between nail pairs is desired, the user may change the speed of line affixing apparatus 10, the time period between discharging of nail pairs, or some appropriate combination of both as one of skill in the art will readily appreciate. (The use of automatic and manual triggering of applicators 16 to discharge fastening elements, and the user's ability to vary the time period between automatic triggering of the applicators 16, is discussed in more detail below.) The nail pattern of FIG. 3 may also be achieved, with a line affixing apparatus 10 having two spaced-apart applicators 16 in fixed relationship as shown in FIG. 2, even if applicators 16 discharge non-simultaneously (for example, if power requirements do not permit both applicators 16 to discharge fastening elements at the same time; the powering of the applicators 16 is discussed in more detail below). In the case of non-simultaneous discharge, however, to achieve the nail pattern of FIG. 3 with the applicators 16 configured as shown in FIG. 2, line affixing apparatus 10 would be stopped at each location where fasteners are desired to be discharged, for a time period long enough for both applicators 16 to discharge.

[0035] The nail pattern of FIG. 3 may also be achieved with a line affixing apparatus having two spaced-apart applicators in fixed relationship as shown in FIG. 10. In this embodiment, the applicators 16 are spaced-apart in both the front-to-back direction of the line affixing apparatus (i.e., substantially the direction of travel of the apparatus when in use) and in the transverse direction (substantially perpendicular to the direction of the travel). In this embodiment, the nail pattern of FIG. 3 can be achieved whether the applicators 16 fire simultaneously or non-simultaneously. Spacing the applicators 16 in both the front-to-back direction and the transverse direction is advantageous because it provides additional room between the applicators, thus making it possible to accommodate larger applicators within frame 14.

[0036] In another embodiment, a single applicator 16 may be used. This construction may be advantageous because two (or more) applicators 16 may be too large to fit side-by-side in frame 14, or may be too large to discharge nails 22 within the relatively narrow width of, for instance, lines or tapes used for tennis (although these space and size problems may alternatively be obviated, as noted above, by the spacing of the applicators 16 in the two-applicator embodiment shown in FIG. 10).

[0037] To achieve the nail pattern of FIG. 3 with a single applicator 16, the applicator 16 may be moveable within the frame 14, as shown for example in FIGS. 5-6. As shown in FIG. 6, arm 34 swings side-to-side, for example in an arc. An appropriate linkage may be employed to facilitate this swinging, as one of skill in the art will understand. While applicator 16 may discharge nails 22 at any points along the arc, it preferably discharges one nail 22 at or substantially at the right side of the arc and one nail 22 at or substantially at the left side of the arc, corresponding to the right and left sides 24 and 26 of a tape 12 disposed on the surface.

[0038] In the single-applicator embodiment shown in FIG. 6, movement of the line affixing apparatus 10 over the surface may be stopped or slowed at each location where a pair of nails 22 is desired to be discharged side-by-side. If line affixing apparatus 10 is not stopped or slowed, a nail pattern like that shown in FIG. 4 is more likely to result, because the line affixing apparatus 10 continues to move forward while (and after) a nail is secured to one side (for instance, a left side) of a tape 12. By the time the applicator 16 has swung (or otherwise moved) to the other side of the tape, it is forward of the position of the last nail discharged.

[0039] The nail pattern shown in FIG. 4, which may be called an “alternating” or “staggered” nail pattern, may also be achieved in any suitable way, with one or two applicators, each of which may be fixed or movable relative to the frame/platform of line affixing apparatus 10.

[0040] For example, as noted above, in the single-applicator embodiment shown in FIG. 6, if the speed of the line affixing apparatus 10 is kept constant, a nail pattern like that shown in FIG. 4 will result.

[0041] In a dual applicator embodiment like that shown in FIG. 2, the applicators may be fired simultaneously or alternately, (e.g., first a left nail may be discharged, followed by a right nail); an alternate firing will resulting in an alternating pattern like that shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] As one of skill in the art will readily appreciate, various other embodiments are possible, using one, two or more applicators 16 in any suitable configuration, firing synchronously or non-synchronously. One embodiment (mentioned above) is shown in FIG. 10, which depicts two applicators in a diagonal pattern, one in front of the other and capable of being aligned with a first side of a boundary line, when the other (further to the rear of the frame 14) is aligned with a second side of the boundary line. The two applicators 16 are separated, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the boundary line 12, by an offset distance, for example, one and one half inches.

[0043] In some embodiments, the rate at which one or more applicators 16 discharge fastening elements may be varied, for instance depending on the speed of the line affixing apparatus 10. When line affixing apparatus 10 is moved over boundary line 12 more quickly, a faster discharge rate of nails 22 may be required to maintain a desired nail spacing; conversely, when line affixing apparatus 10 is moved over boundary line 12 more slowly, a slower discharge rate of mails 22 may be required to maintain a desired nail spacing. Accordingly, the discharge rate(s) of applicator(s) 16 may be varied according to the speed of line affixing apparatus 10, using a conventional speed sensor and computer, or other method now known or later developed. Appropriate controls (not shown) can be implemented, such as a computer running a software program to correlate the speed of the line affixing apparatus 10 with the discharge rate of nails 22. In another embodiment, a geared system may be implemented, in which a chosen amount of rotation and/or a number of rotations of the wheels of the line affixing apparatus 10 causes applicator(s) 16 to discharge fastening elements, as one of skill in the art will readily appreciate.

[0044] Proper alignment of the line affixing apparatus 10 with the boundary line 12 ensures that the fastening elements discharged by applicator(s) 16 are applied to the boundary line 12 in a desired fashion.

[0045] In one embodiment, a guide 50 may be mounted to the frame 14 (as shown in FIG. 5), for instance at the bottom front portion of the frame 14. The guide 50 facilitates visual inspection by the user of whether the line affixing apparatus 10 is properly aligned with the boundary line 12. In one embodiment, the guide 50 may be the width of a boundary line 12 (and may also be a different color than the boundary line 12), such that the user can easily determine whether the boundary line 12 is showing beneath the guide 50 as viewed from above. The guide 50 may be configured such that if boundary line 12 is visible from above guide 50, the line affixing apparatus 10 is misaligned relative to the boundary line 12. In another embodiment, guide 50 may be translucent or transparent, with guide marks indicating where the left and right edges of the boundary line 12 should be.

[0046] Other types of guides may also be employed, such as a guide that comprises a wall or skid positioned adjacent either right edge 24 and left edge 26 of boundary line 12, to maintain appropriate positioning of applicator(s) 16 as line affixing apparatus 10 moves over the boundary line 12. In another embodiment, a guide may comprise two walls or skids, one adjacent to each of right edge 24 and left edge 26 of boundary line 12.

[0047] In an alternative embodiment, one or more sensors (not shown) may also be used for sensing the position of a boundary line 12. These sensors may be coupled to applicator(s) 16 and/or to a processor (not shown) to facilitate positioning adjustment of the applicator(s) 16, so that fastening elements are discharged in appropriate engagement with boundary line 12. An indicator such as a light or an LED (not shown) may indicate to a user that the line affixing apparatus 10 is in proper position with respect to boundary line 12.

[0048] In another embodiment, a window attached to frame 14, which window may include guide marks, may enable a user to view the boundary line 12 directly, thus enabling the user to keep the line affixing apparatus on a desired course (i.e., such that the applicators 16 remain positioned above the boundary line 12).

[0049] Other methods of keeping the line affixing apparatus 10 on a desired course may also be used. In one embodiment, a taping guide rail or track may be used.

[0050]FIG. 8 shows a prototype system employing such a track 80. In the embodiment shown, track 80 is laid substantially parallel to a pre-laid boundary line 12. In an alternative embodiment, boundary line 12 may be stored on the line affixing apparatus 10 and laid on the ground as the platform moves along the track (as discussed above).

[0051] A single track 80 may be employed, accommodating either the left or right wheels of the line affixing apparatus. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, the track 80 appears on the right side of the line affixing apparatus 10 to accommodate the right wheels. In an alternate embodiment, tracks may be laid on both sides of the boundary line 12 to accommodate both sets of the wheels of the line affixing apparatus 10.

[0052] A measuring device 42 may be employed to maintain appropriate spacing between the boundary line 12 or marker and the track 80. For example, the measuring device 42 may be a horizontal rod or measuring stick attached to the line affixing apparatus 10, perpendicular to the boundary line 12 and the track 80, to provide a visual verification of the distance between the track 80 and the boundary line 12.

[0053] In some embodiments, a cut-off switch may be employed to prevent the boundary line 12 from being affixed to the ground in an undesired location or orientation. For instance, based on the signals received from the sensors, a processor can determine whether the movable platform 14 has gone off course; if so, the cut-off switch would stop the applicators 16 from discharging fastening elements, for instance by cutting off power to the applicators 16.

[0054] As described elsewhere in this application, either one or two nail applicators 16 may be used. The embodiment of FIG. 8 accommodates two such applicators 16 a and 16 b. FIG. 8 also shows a nail cassette 44 and a battery 46 attached to the frame 14. Although the device may be powered in any appropriate fashion, a battery may be convenient because it avoids the need for long cables that plug into electrical outlets or air lines connected to pneumatic devices, and does not require combustible fuel as in a gasoline engine.

[0055]FIG. 8 also shows a tape pointer guide 48 that can provide a visual cue to the user regarding whether the line affixing apparatus 10 is moving in a desired direction with respect to the boundary line 12.

[0056] Other methods of aligning the line affixing apparatus 10 with the boundary line 12 are also contemplated. For example, the line affixing apparatus 10 can be guided along a string or wire stretched parallel to the ground above the boundary line 12. One convenient way to guide the platform along such a guide-wire is by attaching a tube to the platform, through which the guide-wire extends. In this configuration, a user may simply push the line affixing apparatus and it will maintain a straight course along the guide-wire (if the guide-wire is sufficiently taut).

[0057] Although line affixing apparatus 10 may have a push handle 18 to facilitate pushing by a user, it may be manually moved in other ways or may be powered in an appropriate manner known in the art, for example by a gasoline or electric motor. For such embodiments, handle 18 may still be required to guide line affixing apparatus 10.

[0058] Line affixing apparatus 10 may have at least one wheel 30, at least two wheels being preferred, and four wheels being shown for the illustrative embodiment of the figures. Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured to facilitate movement in another conventional manner, including for example the use of skids (not shown).

[0059] Applicators 16 may be air, electric or powder-driven nail guns, which may or may not be modified for this application (for example, by reducing their size). Applicators 16 may also be manual staplers or automated staplers, for use with staples. The type and configuration of applicators 16 will depend on the type of fastening elements used, which fastening elements may include nails, staples and other suitable fastening elements now know or later developed.

[0060] Applicators 16 may be powered by batteries, a generator, a gasoline or other suitable motor, a pneumatic or hydraulic power source, or another appropriate source. Applicators 16 may also be geared or otherwise coupled to be operated from the rotation of wheels 30, as noted above. Where two or more applicators are employed, they may be powered from a common power source, or a separate power source may be provided for each applicator.

[0061] Fastening elements may be discharged from applicator 16 in response to a user manually pulling a trigger. The trigger may cause a nail to be discharged by closing an electric circuit, or causing an appropriate hydraulic or pneumatic action to occur. Where a manual trigger is used, the configuration of the line affixing apparatus 10 may require that it be an elongated trigger, or that it be spaced from the applicator, for example by being mounted to the handle or by being connected to the applicator, for example by a wire.

[0062] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, for example, a firing handle 100 is provided. The firing handle 100 pivots about pivot point 104, and is coupled to applicators 16 by a linkage 102. The firing handle 100 is biased into the “up” position by a positioning spring 106. When pressed downwardly against the biasing force of the positioning spring 106, firing handle 100 acts on applicators 16 through linkage 102 to cause applicators 16 to discharge fastening elements. For example, applicators 16 may be triggered to discharge a fastening element when the nail applicator positioning head 32 (shown in FIGS. 5, 7 and 9) hits the ground. Pressing downwardly on firing handle 100 may in turn push positioning heads 32 of applicators 16 against the ground (or boundary line), causing them to discharge fastening elements.

[0063] Some applicators, such as some air guns, have a safety feature preventing the gun from firing except when the applicator positioning head 32 (or other structure on the tip of the applicator) is in contact with a surface. If an applicator with such a safety feature is used, the applicator moves up and down, descending to fire a nail (as described above with respect to FIG. 9), after which it can be raised to move to its next firing position. In this way, the tip of the applicator is not dragged across the boundary line 12, risking damage to the line. Rather, it impacts the line only where a nail is fired. As shown in FIG. 7, nail applicator 16 may also be movable up and down, for instance by a rotating elevator bar 38 to which arm 34 is attached. Another embodiment using up and down motion is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0064] In FIG. 5, applicator 16 is shown as having an applicator positioning head 32, which positions the nails 22 for proper discharge. Applicator 16 is mounted to an arm 34, for instance by pin 36, or by another appropriate means. As depicted in FIG. 5, arm 34 is mounted, for instance by a pin 40 or other suitable connector, to an elevator bar 38 mounted in a transverse fashion across frame 14.

[0065] Triggering of applicators 16 to discharge fastening elements may be done in any suitable manner as will be apparent to one of skill in the art. In manual embodiments, described above, a user may cause the applicators 16 to discharge at desired times. In automatic embodiments, the applicators 16 may discharge at regular intervals. A suitable control may also be provided, by which a user may alter the frequency at which applicators 16 discharge in automatic embodiments.

[0066] Nails (or other fastening elements) may be stored on the frame 14 in an appropriate fashion, for example on a reel 52 (see FIG. 5). For instance, if the applicator 16 is a machine-gun type apparatus, a belt or box of nails may be attached to the frame 14. One advantage of affixing a nail storage box or belt to the frame 14 rather than to the applicator 16 is that this will reduce the weight of the applicator 16.

[0067] In some figures, elements, such as wheels 30 and handle 18, are not shown; these elements have been omitted for convenience, for instance to enable easier viewing of other elements.

[0068] While the invention is described herein by way of illustrative example, it is in no way restricted to the exemplary embodiments described. Thus, the foregoing and other variations in form and detail may be made therein by one skilled in the art while still remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention, which is to be defined only be the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for affixing a boundary line to a surface, comprising: a frame moveable over the surface; and at least one applicator mounted to said frame, said at least one applicator adapted to discharge fastening elements to affix the boundary line to the surface.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a dispenser mounted to said frame for dispensing the boundary line onto the surface in a position allowing the boundary line to receive said fastening elements discharged by said at least one applicator.
 3. A line affixing apparatus, moveable over a surface, for affixing a boundary line to the surface, the line affixing apparatus comprising: a frame; at least one applicator adapted to discharge fastening elements; and a dispenser mounted to said frame for dispensing the boundary line onto the surface in a position allowing the boundary line to receive said fastening elements discharged by said at least one applicator.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said applicators are nail guns and said fastening elements are nails.
 5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein use of said apparatus results in a staggered pattern of said fastening elements.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising at least one wheel.
 7. A line affixing apparatus, moveable over a surface, for affixing a boundary line to the surface, the line affixing apparatus comprising: a frame; and at least one applicator adapted to discharge fastening elements, said at least one applicator being moveably attached to said frame and being capable of discharging fastening elements to affix two sides of the boundary line to the surface in a single pass of the apparatus over the surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said applicators are nail guns and said fastening elements are nails.
 9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein use of said apparatus results in a staggered pattern of said fastening elements.
 10. The apparatus of claim 7 including a mechanism for moving said applicator from one side of the boundary line to the other.
 11. The apparatus of claim 7 including a mechanism for raising and lowering the applicator to facilitate discharge therefrom.
 12. A line affixing apparatus, moveable over a surface, for affixing a boundary line having two edges to the surface, the line affixing apparatus comprising: a frame; and a first applicator and a second applicator mounted to said frame, said first applicator being adapted to affix the first edge of the boundary line to the surface and said second applicator being adapted to affix the second edge of the boundary line to the surface.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein use of said apparatus results in a staggered pattern of said fastening elements.
 14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein said applicators are spaced apart along a line substantially perpendicular to the boundary line.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said applicators are also spaced apart in the direction of travel of the apparatus.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said two applicators are spaced apart along a line substantially perpendicular to the boundary line by approximately the boundary line width.
 17. The apparatus of claim 12, in combination with a pre-laid track adapted to maintain proper positioning of said line affixing apparatus relative to a pre-positioned boundary line.
 18. The apparatus of claim 12 each application to facilitate affixment thereby. 